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Offensive outburst leads Powell River Villa to victory

Soccer club breaks through goal-scoring rut in 3-2 win over Saanich
Powell River Villa
FIRST GOAL: Brandon Knox [left] who scored two goals in Powell River Villa SC’s win over Saanich on Saturday, November 10, watches Chrispin Mgeni load up his right foot before scoring his first Vancouver Island Soccer League goal on a brilliant volley. David Brindle photo

Powell River Villa SC has struggled scoring goals in Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 2, but the team broke through the wall with a thrilling 3-2 win over Saanich Fusion Bandits on Saturday, November 10, at Timberlane Park.

Brandon Knox had two goals for Villa, including the winner, and Chrispin Mgeni scored his first in the VISL.

Villa led 2-0 at halftime on Knox’s first goal of the game; a fantastic volley into the top corner of the Saanich net.

Mgeni scored at 43 minutes, bending a volley from just outside the right corner of the 18-yard box.

“You couldn't score a nicer goal,” said Villa coach Chris McDonough. “It was brilliant.”

Saanich came back in the second half with its first goal, then tied the game at two before Knox scored the winner for Villa on a breakaway at the 73-minute mark.

“Another brilliant goal,” said McDonough. “He roofed it into the top corner with not a lot of time left.”

Villa was hit with two yellow cards for unsportsmanlike conduct on Jake Kenmuir and Kurtis Dennison. Kenmuir will serve a one-game suspension.

Halfway through the 18-game Division 2 regular season, Villa is still in first place, which the team has held all year. The three points for the win over Saanich kept Villa six points ahead of three teams tied at 15 points.

Villa’s defence has allowed only six goals in nine games, while the offence has produced just enough goals to keep winning. All but two games have been won by a single goal scored in the final minutes.

The most goals Villa had scored before the Saanich game came in 2-0 wins over Vic West and Prospect Lake.   

Kenmuir and Kye Taylor are in the mix for the division scoring race with three goals apiece. Knox has two, with Dennison, Mgeni and Scott Sawchuk scoring singles.

Villa plays its next two games on the road before returning home to face Bays United FC on December 1.